Albany NY vs Chicago IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Albany
53.0%
Albany +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Albany
26.6%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.7 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 53.0% | 39.1% | Albany + |
| Black | 26.6% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 7.1% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Chicago
7.9%
Chicago +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.9% | Chicago + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 43.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 45.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.0% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 13.6% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.2°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 36.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Chicago has a lower unemployment rate at 7.9%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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